Yesterday, Actress, Tonto Dikeh announced that she has been appointed as Ambassador for Peace Building, Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC).
“I AM NOW A PROUD NIGERIA CHRISTIAN PILGRIM COMMISSION(NCPC) AMBASSADOR FOR PEACE BUILDING••
“Yesterday 25th February 2021 yours Director, Socials & Empowerment @cymsnigeris was warmly received by Rev. Yakubu Pam, the Executive Secretary of Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) at his Headoffice Abuja @pamyaks, where we had an extensive deliberation on NCPC vision, dissecting the values for National development and youth involvement in peace building in line with the NCPC’s mandate.
I was Accompanied by Amb. Chris Odey @goodwillambassadorevents The Tonto Dikeh Foundation, Project Coordinator,
“As a humanitarian, i also felt it is imperative for a few youths to have a feel of this laudable initiative through The Tonto Dikeh Foundation in partnership with NCPC where 10 Nigerians will be sponsored on this year’s Pilgrimage activities sponsored by @officalthetontodikehfoundation
“Finally, I wish to announce my position as the new Ambassador of the Commission for Peace Building.
“Need your prayers as we embark on Peace building across the six (6) geopolitical Zones of the Nation because peace is indispensable.
“Yours in Nation building
“King Tonto Dikeh,
CYMS’s Director,
Socials & Empowerment.”
Mainstream and social media went on fire, with Christians and Muslims protesting the appointment.
Many felt that she did not deserve the position as there are many devout Christians that have the qualities of a role model / ambassador.
Others are of the opinion that there is indeed no need for the commission at this time:
Mark Amaza@amasonic· “First of all, I’m yet to see any reason for the continued existence of this commission (& the Hajj commission as well) Two, why does the commission need an ambassador? Lastly, OF ALL PEOPLE, it is Tonto Dikeh? How does the public image of her align with the Commission’s?”
Reactions:
Mark Amaza@amasonic· “I’m still trying to imagine how the conversation for an ambassador for the Christian Pilgrims Commission started & they thought Tonto Dikeh was the right candidate. What exactly is the objective of her ambassadorship? Why not people like Sinach, Dunsin Oyekan, Eben, Mercy Chinwo”
Tonto Dikeh’s outfit to a meeting with the Executive Director, of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) at his Headoffice Abuja left much to be desired.
Considering the outburst, or perhaps, to set the records straight, NCPC distanced itself from the purported appointment in a press release.
According to them, her claims to the ambassadorial position are a figment of her imagination.
“Rev Yakubu Pam on 25th February, 2021 at the corporate headquarters of the Commission in Abuja. As the founder of Tonto Dikeh Foundation, she expressed her willingness and interest in partnering with the Commission in the area of peace building.
“She equally cashed in on the visit to commend the NCPC boss for his positive and relentless peace initiatives across the country.
“However, we are suddenly inundated with claims from King Tonto Dikeh herself that she has been officially appointed as Ambassador of peace by this great Commission. This claim has gone virile in the media. The Commission frowns at this claim which is a clear misrepresentation of what transpired.
“The fact remains that the Executive Secretary of NCPC never appointed King Tonto Dikeh an Ambassador of Peace for NCPC and this was not part of her visit therefore this claim by her is spurious, unfounded and should be discarded and seen by all Nigerians as a figment of her imagination.
“Nevertheless, we appreciate her desire to partner with us in our peace building initiatives and in the area of pilgrimage sponsorship to the Holy Land. @TONTOLET@T_D_Foundation@pamyaks@ncpcabuja Signed: Celestine Toruka Head Media and Public Relations NCPC 26th February, 2021.”
Tonto Dikeh however, says she has video proof of the appointment but chooses to move on: